International and Arab News
Iran
Iran Says Scientist Jailed in US to Return in Days
Tehran said Monday that scientist Sirous Asgari, one of more than a dozen Iranians behind bars in the United States, is set to return to the country within days. Asgari was accused by a US court in 2016 of stealing trade secrets while on an academic visit to Ohio. But the 59-year-old scientist
As Cases Soar, Minister Warns Iran May Face 2nd Stronger Virus Wave
Iran could face a second, stronger wave of novel coronavirus infections if people ignore guidance and social distancing rules, health minister Saeed Namaki said on Monday. Iran, one of the worst-hit countries in the region, started easing its lockdown in April after a drop in deaths. But May s
Iran’s New Parliament Speaker Kicks Off Term by Rejecting Negotiations with US
Iran’s new parliament speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf closed on Sunday the door to any negotiations between Tehran and Washington, describing such talks a “futile.” In his first major speech to the conservative-dominated chamber on Sunday, Ghalibaf also criticized the Iranian government, and sen
Former Guards Air Force Commander Elected Iran Speaker
Iranian lawmakers elected former Revolutionary Guards air force commander Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf on Thursday as parliament speaker for one year. State TV said 230 lawmakers, out of 264, voted for Qalibaf, who served as Tehran’s mayor from 2005 to 2017. Qalibaf ran unsuccessfully in two preside
US to End Sanctions Waivers at Iran Nuclear Sites
The United States has decided to end sanctions waivers allowing Russian, Chinese and European firms to continue work at certain Iranian nuclear sites, a US official and another source familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. The sources, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, confirme
Iran's Newly Elected Parliament Convenes Despite Pandemic
Iran convened its newly elected parliament on Wednesday, dominated by conservative lawmakers and under strict social distancing regulations, as the country struggles to curb the spread of the coronavirus that has hit the nation hard. Iran is grappling with one of the deadliest outbreaks in the re
Iran Marks End of Ramadan on 2 Different Days
Iranians in a rare event mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan this year on separate days -- Sunday or Monday -- depending on different religious authorities' edicts. Supreme leader Ali Khamenei announced Saturday evening that the Eid al-Fitr would fall on Sunday this year. But the country